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After spending two long hours in silence, because I’m not allowed to say a bad word about Adrien, we’re finally pulling up beside a black Chevrolet pickup truck, just inside the boarders of Cove Forest.
I inspect our temporary safe-house. I was expecting to see some huge glorified modern statement of glass. I didn’t expect this. It’s an old white panelled building with a porch, and next to it stands a dilapidated barn.
I look into the backseat to see Daniel still sleeping soundly. His face has now un-scrunched with not a care in the world. I envy the little fella. This world is kind of mind-numbing when you have so much time on your hands. Even drink doesn’t help. Yes, alcohol dulls my senses, but even the effects of that get boring after twenty-four hours. I even miss, dare I say it, being hung-over. I miss that I can’t punish myself because the energy and blood I draw in, makes me inhumanly able to cope with anything toxic.
Sara gets out as I unclip the seatbelt from the baby seat. She’s staring at the house because it’s not up to her standards. I’m enjoying the disappointment on her face. It’s the kind of look you’d see on someone who has won the lotto, only to be told they’re sharing the million jackpot, with a million other people.
“You going to be alright here, Sara?” I smirk. “It’s not the lap of luxury you’re used to.”
She ignores me, doesn’t even give me her signature bitchy eyes, and storms up to the porch as Ben emerges.
Okay, I’ve sacrificed a lot to be here. And now I’ve got to spend God knows how long, under the same roof with a bunch of sang, who don’t particularly like me. Great.
“Where’s Liz?” I ask, gently placing Daniel down on the stained decking.
Ben crouches down to the car seat. He’s not met Daniel yet, and is clearly amazed by him.
“Ben,” Sara interrupts Ben’s wonderment. “Is Adrien here?”
Ben stands up and I don’t like the look he’s giving me. Asshole. I swear if there wasn’t a baby right next to my leg, I’d have my hands around his neck.
I try to go in more tactically, to get inside his head, but I get nothing. He’s all prepped up to be in close quarters with a vigore.
“No,” he eventually replies to Sara.
“Nathan. Man. Long-time no see.” I look over my shoulder to see Dom casually wandering over with his arms out.
I don’t want to meet and greet, to act all pally-pally. I want to know what’s going on. I refuse to shake Dom’s hand and step right in front of Ben’s face.
“Well, let’s have a look at the little cherub.” Dom cheerily continues, squatting down before the car seat behind me. “What’s the little dude’s name?”
“Daniel.” Sara picks up the car seat and places it on a dusty oval rug at the front door.
“Has Adrien not called you?” I ask Ben. “I knew that prick would mess up again.”
Ben grabs my neck, but not for long though. I’m not going to stay here without putting my foot down. I thrust him back, forgetting there is a baby in the room, and now I have him pinned up against the dark dresser before a staircase.
“Nathan, let him go, you idiot,” Sara yells, leaving Daniel near a sofa with a gooey-eyed Dom.
I grunt and push him back hard as I release my hold. “Give me his number,” I demand, ready to blow again.
“No one is to call him, unless it’s an emergency.” Ben eyeballs me.
I get close to his face. He doesn’t scare me; Adrien’s little pet. None of them do. If you’re going on the run, you have a decent plan. I want to know where they are, and if Liz is safe.
“Well I think this counts as an emergency, doesn’t it?”
“I will call tonight. At the time I was given, and not before,” he says, making his way toward a door on the far wall.
“Nathan,” Dom says. “They’ll be here soon, trust me.”
Sara takes Daniel out from the car seat, and walks through the same door Ben vanished through. I think she’s pissed-off with me for flying off the handle.
“The boss has never let any of us down before,” Dom adds.
“Yeah, does that include Liz?” I anger.
“I know this isn’t ideal.” He takes a step nearer and pats my shoulder. “Watching this shit unfold. It’s crazy to think that this time last year, you and Liz had no idea we existed.” I shake my head, moving away from his annoying chirpiness. “But we need to work this out together. Adrien will protect Liz, and you need to work with us.” He takes a twenty pack out from his jacket pocket, and pulls out the butt end of a cigarette between his lips. “Want a smoke?”
His damn enthusiasm is getting on my nerves. It was okay to deal with when I was human. I could have a laugh with Dom, and the world was carefree back then. The world I’m in now is as dark as hell, and dangerous. So no good will come from his uplifting bullshit.
I can’t be in the same room as him, so I walk to the stairs and stop by the bannister rail. I take out the phone Sara gave me, to see that it’s only midday. There are no messages or missed calls, and I’m beyond pissed-off. It’s obvious Adrien doesn’t give a shit about his son.
I slide the phone across the surface of the dresser. I need to get out of here. To think. To calm down before I flip out again.